BLM Releases Decision for Bait Trapping in McCullough Peaks Herd

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Cody Field Office (CYFO) has released a finding of no significant impact (FONSI) and decision record (DR) for a wild horse bait trapping gather in the McCullough Peaks Wild Horse Herd Management Area (HMA) near Cody.

Beginning in January 2013, the BLM proposes to use bait trapping to initially remove 20 horses and then gradually remove horses if necessary through 2018 (or as long as it can be reasonably concluded that no new information and no new circumstances have substantially changed in the area of analysis) in order to maintain a population of adult wild horses within the herd’s appropriate management level (AML) range of 70-140 horses.

Small removals, in conjunction with fertility control the CYFO has been administering through field darting since spring 2011, will allow the BLM to maintain a population of wild horses within the AML that will help prevent deterioration of rangelands and balance wild horses with other public rangeland resources and uses.

Animals removed from the McCullough Peaks HMA will be available for adoption through the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Program. Those that are not adopted will be cared for in long-term pastures, where they retain their “wild” status and protection under the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act.

An adoption is being planned for spring 2013 in Powell. Further information will be made available as the adoption nears.

For more information, please contact BLM Wild Horse Specialist Tricia Hatle at 307-578-5900, thatle@blm.gov, or stop by the Cody Field Office at 1002 Blackburn Street.

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's mission is to manage and conserve the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations under our mandate of multiple-use and sustained yield. In Fiscal Year 2013, the BLM generated $4.7 billion in receipts from public lands.